Givaudan, the leading fragrance and flavour company based in Dübendorf, Switzerland, has opened a € 130 million savoury flavour manufacturing facility in Makó, Hungary. The plant currently employs 200 people, but this number will increase to 300 by the end of 2013.

Gilles Andrier, CEO of Givaudan, told Hungarian News Agency MTI that they had chosen Makó for the site of their largest greenfield investment as it has a long history in production and its industrial zone is appropriate for the development project. He added that the expertise of graduates from the Szeged University Food Industry Faculty has also contributed to this decision.

The Makó plant will play an important role in strengthening Givaudan’s position in the field of health and wellness products, and in expanding their developing markets. Products made in Makó will be transported to food companies in ninety countries across the Europe, Africa and Middle East (EAME) region. The manufacturer will employ 300 people by the end of next year and will indirectly create many new jobs through its partners as well.

State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations Péter Szijjártó said that recent factory openings have proven the success of the Hungarian economy, adding that the Government has made a good decision in putting the emphasis on employment and production in response to the economic crisis. He also stated that the Government’s objective is to make Hungary a production centre in Europe. ‘Hardworking Hungarians have also made the country an attractive investment location,’ he said. Finally, he listed recent projects taking place in Hungary, such as Teva pharmaceutical company’s new Hungarian headquarters in Gödöllő and Opel’s factory expansion in Szentgotthárd.

Mihály Karkas, Head of Operations, said that the size of the new Makó facility and its highly automated technology will contribute to meeting the strictest hygiene and safety requirements.

(Prime Minister’s Office)